Family Newsletter Winter 1978-9 Vol I Number I
The 3rd child of Wm. J.F.and Elizabeth T McAllister, John DanielThompson McAllister was born Feb 19, 1827 at Lews, Delaware. He metthe LDS Elders in Philadelphia
1844, joined their ranks and emigrated to Utah. On his return to Philas a missionary in 1860/61 he was successful in converting a largesection of his immediate family.
There are several biographies and a journal for Uncle John whichwill be featured in future issues. Lucile Weenig is deep in compilinga history of his life using his voluminous Journal as a basis.

Documentary Evidences for William James Frazier and Elizabeth ThompsonMcAllister
1. Extracts from Journal of John D. T. McAllister---I, John DanielThompson McAllister (3rd son of William James Frazier and ElizaThompson McAllister) was born the 19th of Feb. 1827 in the town ofLewes, Sussex, State of Delaware USA. When I was a year old myparents, my 2 older brothers, James and Richard and I moved toPhiladelphia, Penn. (James was born 30 Dec 1822 and Richard the 19 Oct1825 in Lewes. Mary Jane Abbott was born in Philadelphia on the 22ndof Feb. 1829.
On the 5th of July 1847, I was married to Ellen Handley, also amember of the Mormon Church. On the 11 Jan 1857 I married Angeline S.Goforth. The 17th of April 1867 I married Cornelia Agatha Lenzi, The4th of Dec 1873 I was married to Margaret Fackander, On the 28th ofAug 1876 Matilda Christina Nielsen was sealed to me. The 23rd of Dec1880 Ann Eliza Wells was married to me in the St George Temple. The 24Oct 1882 Ann Moller was sealed to me in the St George Temple.
I was babtized 12 Oct 1844 by Elder Albert Lutz, PresidentPhiladelphia Branch.
Tuesday Jan 1 1861 I baptized 11 persons. Among the number myMother, Brother
Richard, his son William and my sister's daughter Mary E. Cullen.
Jan 31 1861 I Baptized 5. Two of them my sister Mary Jane AbbottCullen, and
sister-in-law Elizabeth Elenor MaCallester.
Friday 31 May 1872, Mother called for me about 5 o'clock a.m. Shesaid, "I have been dying since 3 o'clock." I told her she could gohome in peace. Asked her if she had anything to say to our friends inthe East, She said, "No, this is a happy day, and I have spent 10years in Utah." She died at a qtr to 8.

Census; GS 5813 Part 80, 1850 Census of Philadelphia, 3rd ward,Southwark District.
Ordinances Dates; TIB Restricted film Endowement House BaptismsRecords of Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA.
John Daniel Thompson McAllister composed in the year 1856 "TheHandcart Song"
Words went; for some must push and some must pull, as we go marchingup the hill, so merrily on our way we go, until we reach thevalley-oh.

Prominent Utah Man and Pioneers pgs 334-335-336
John Daniel Thompson McAllister, president of the St George Stake ofZion from 1877 to 1888, is the son of Wm. J.F.McAllister and ElizaThompson and was born Feb 19,1827, in Lewis, Sussex county, Delaware.The following is a short sketch of his early life, written by himself;"I removed to Philadelphia, the city of my first recollection, Oct 121844. I was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-DaySaints by Elder Albert Lutz, president of the Philadelphia branch July5, 1847. I married Ellen Handley July 28, 1848 and my
first born was named Moroni, Sept 28 1848. With my wife, I startedfor the body of the church, traveling by railroad, canal and steamboatto St Louis Mo. where I labored at blacksmithing. July 12, 1849, Itook passage on a steamboat for Council Bluffs, where we arrived Aug1, in the spring of 1850, I built a house, and while working atcarpentering for Jos E. Johnson, he engaged me to clerk for him in thestore we built. Jan 9 1851, my wife Ellen gave to me an other boy; wenamed him John. June 20, 1851 we left Kanesville with a wagon and 5yoke of cattle. At the 6 mile grove, beyond Winter Quarters, I wasappointed clerk of Alfred Cordon's company of 50 wagons. We startedfor the valley of
the Great Salt Lake, July 1, 1851 and arrived there in safety Oct 11851. I met with the saints in an adobie bowery, on the south side ofthe Temple block near the spot where the south gate is at the presenttime. Previous to this, while in Philadelphia, I had been ordained aPriest, Sept 27, 1846 and commissioned to preach the gospel; inKanesville I was ordained an Elder, and in the valley I was ordained aSeventy Nov 8 1851 and became a member of the 8th quorum. As soon asI arrived in the Valley I found employment on the public workscarpenter shop; I worked on the old Tabernacle, where the AssemblyHall now stands. I also joined Captain Ballo's brass band and becamelieutenant, playing the cornet. Feb 14, 1853, a large number ofpeople assembled on the
temple Block to witness the breaking and consecrating of the Templegrounds.
There was about 3" of snow on the ground, but the morning was clearand lovely, the snow soon melted, and in some places the ground wasquite bare. The Nauvoo and Ballo bands cheered us with their sweetmusic. At about 10 o'clock a.m. Pres. Young arrived and with PresKimball and Pres Richards and the assembled multitude I witnessed thesurvey of the site of the Temple, by Elders Truman O. Angell, Churcharchitect, and Surveyor Jesse W. Fox. This work was completed about11 o'clock, when the First Presidency, the Twelve Apolstles and othermoved to the corner of the south and east lines. Pres Brigham Youngadressed us 30 minutes and related briefly the changes through whichthe church had passed, the difficulties the Saints had encounterd inOhio, Missouri and Illinois, and how they had been led by anoverruling providence to this consecrated spot. 7 years ago, he said,he had left Nauvoo, not knowing which way to go, only as
he learned by dreams, visions and revelations, that there was a goodplace in the mtns for the Saints. The united bands of music wereinvited to the center; the standard bearer placed the ensign on thecenter stake of the Temple plat, where all could see it, the musiciansformed in a circle and gave a cheering strain to "Auld Lang Syne" PresKimball offered the dedicatory prayer, after which the presidencymoved to the southeast corner of the Temple site, where, with theTwelve, Mayor Jedediah M. Grant, Marshal Jesse C. Little and others,they suceeded in picking around a piece of earth, about 1 foot square,and
while doing this a silver dollar fell on the square of earth withoutanyone knowing where it came from. Pres Kimball prophesied that itwas a good token, and that means would not be wanted to build theTemple. After the earth was loosened about 6" deep, Pres Young said,that it was his privilege to remove it and he took the lump upon hisspade and lifted it up high, while he said "Get out of my way, for Iam going to throw this" He held it about a minute before he could getroom to lay it down off the Temple site. He then addressed the
multitude and declared the ground broken for the Temple, blessed thepeople in the name of the Lord, and dismissed the assembly. We allsaid Amen. The general conference was held, as usual, in April, 1851and it was celebrated by the laying of the 4 corner stones of theTemple. At that conference (on the 8th) I was appointed a mission toEngland. The beautiful block of stone contributed by the state ofDeseret to the Washington monument was intrusted to the care of ElderPhilemon C. Merrill and myself, to deliver to the committee atWashington to whom, and to Pres Franklin Pierce and Hon. John M.Berhisel, we carried letters of introduction from Governor Young. Theblock mentioned was 3 ft long
and 2 feet wide, and 6 1/2" thick. In the center stood the bee-hive,the emblem of industry, over it was the motto "Holiness to the Lord".Above this was the allseeing eye with rays; beneath the line was theword "Deseret" over that (springing from the ground which was coveredwith different kinds of foliage) was a semicircular arch, enrichedwith the convololus. On each side were spandrels; in one was thesymbol of union, with foliage; in the other was the cornucopia. Nearthe edge was a fillet, 1 l/2" wide and 3/4" deep. After being setapart for our missions, we bid our families and friends goodbye June21 1851 and started on our journey. We arrived in Washington Sept23rd presented our letters of introduction and the stone to thecommittee, who received us in a very kind and affectionate manner.After doing our business, we went to Baltimore and took passage forPhiladelphia, whence we started on the steamer "Glasgow" forLiverpool, where we landed Oct 25, 1851. On this mission I was gone 31/2 years. I was welcomed home by the Presidency and manyacquaintances."
After his return from this mission, Oct 4 1856. Elder McAllisterlabored at carpentering and mill work to support his family andattended to his several duties as an Elder in the Church. He waschosen President of the 16th quorum of the Seventys and elected majorof the 2nd battalion of the Nauvoo Legion, in the Salt Lake MilitaryDistrict. As a member of the Deseret Dramatic Assn. he took an activepart in Utah's early drama. From 1860 to 1862 he filled anothermission to United States and Europe. On his return he brought acompany of emigrants across the plains. After that, he served as citymarshal of Salt Lake, Territorial marshal and chief of the Salt lakefire department. He also labored for several years in the EndowmentHouse, and was acting as superintendent of Pres Young's woolen millswhen he was called to accompany the president on a mission to StGeorge. At a meeting of the general conference held in the St GeorgeTemple April 5, 1877, he was chosen President of the St George Stakeof Zion, being ordained a High Priest and set apart to that positionby Pres Brigham Young. For his counselors he chose Thos. J. Jones andHenry Eyring. He was also appointed an assistant to Pres WilfordWoodruff, who had been called to preside over the Temple and itsaffairs. He was blessed and set apart by
Pres Woodruff to officiate in all the ordinances of the Temple, April13, 1877. While residing in St George he was elected president of th4eRio Virgen Manuf. Co., president of the St George Dramatic Assn, andbrigadier-general of the Washington county brigade. He presided overSt George Stake about 11 years. In 1893 he was called to assist in theSalt Lake Temple and later in the Manti Temple, of which he has beenPresident for a number of years.

The Life of John D. T. McAllister received from DaveMonke
John D. T. McAllister was born in Lewis, Sussex Co. Delaware on the19th of Feb 1827, being the 3rd son of William J.F. McAllister andEliza Thompson. W.J.F. McAllister was born 15 July 1799 in Laural,Sussex Co. Delaware, he was the son of Richard. J.D.T.'s grandfatheron his mother's side was James Thompson who was born 20 Aug 1777 inLewis, Sussex, Del. James's father William Thompson was born in thecounty of Antrim, Ireland.
The McAllisters (we hope) were descended from Alaster Mcallister whowas the son of Alaster McDonald who was the son of Angus the GreatLord of Hebridees Iles on the West Coast of Scotland. Angus the Greatdescended from Somerlid, Baron of Argyle and First Lord of the Isles.Somerlid was the son of Magnus the 3rd, Rorfold, King of Norway.McAllister McDonald was descended maternally from Isabella, a sisterof Robert the Bruce.
When J.D.T. McAllister was 1 year old his parents took him to the Cityof Philadelphia. At the age of 8 years he was put to work foldingpapers in a printing office at $1.50 per week. At the age of 11 yearshe was put to work on a farm in the state of Delaware for his room andboard. After 3 years he received 75c per week and his board. Heremained 1 year and then came to Phil and at the age of 16 he startedto school and continued until he was 18 years old. He then went towork at carpentering and later shoemaking and from that to
blacksmithing. On the 12 of Oct 1844 he was baptized and confirmed amember of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. At the ageof 19 he was ordained a priest and on 5 July 1847, at the age of 20 hemarried Ellen Handley, a Latter-day Saint, who was born 4 Nov 1829 atHalifax, Nova Scotia. Their children were Moroni Handley, John DanialHandley, Ellen Handley, Daniel Handley, and Mary Jane Handley. Healso married Angeline Sophronia Goforth, she was born 10 July 1840 atBelville, St Clair, Illinois. Their children were Angeline Goforth,James Goforth, William Wallace Goforth, Eliza Thompson
Goforth, Josephene Goforth, and Effie Dean Goforth. He marriedCornelia Agatha Lenzi who was born 13 April 1844 on the corner of 2ndand New Street, Philadelphia, Penn. Their children; Jane Lenzi,Martin Lenzi, George Lenzi, Annie Lenzi, Grace Temple Lenzi andWilford Lenzi. He married Elizabeth Bell 2 Aug 1869, she was born 4April 1827, Barnard Castle, Durham, England. He also married Ann. Hemarried Alvina Mackley who was born 5 Mar 1840. Their children wereLaure Mackley, Deward T. Mackley and Edna Mackley. He married MatildaChristina Neilson. Their children were Lucy Templeine
Neilson, Julia May Neilson and Amy Neilson. He also married Ann ElizaWells born 20 Aug 1859 their children, Minerva Wells, Zina Wells,Brigham Wells, John Wells, Stephney Wells, and Elga Wells.
When his first child was only 2 months old he and his wife startedWest and succeeded in getting as far as St Louis. Mo. There he wentto work at blacksmithing which he followed until his health failed, atwhich time he commenced selling medicianes, soaps etc. Afterremaining 9 months in St Louis they took the steam boat forKanesville, Council Bluffs, Iowa where he was sick for 3 months. Afterhis recovery he went to work at carpentering and later clerked in J.E.Johnson's store where he worked for 18 months. During his 1st year inKanesville he was ordained an elder in the church. After 2 years inKanesville
they began to prepare to go to Salt Lake City with Orson Pratt'scompany, James W. Cummings, Captain. Alfred Gordon was chosen captainof the 2nd 50, and J.D.T. McAllister was selected as secretary. Theemigrants assembled at a hollow near Little Pigeon about 8 miles fromKanesville. On the 20th of June, 1851 the company started Westwardand after many interesting experiences arrived in Salt Lake Valley, 1Oct 1851. He than traded his cattle for a city lot and sold his wagonand all belonging to it for $32.00 in produce and went to work on thepublic works. In Nov 1851 he was ordained a Seventy and he joined the8th Quorum of elders. In March 1853, he and his wife received theirendowement and were sealed for time and eternity. During this samemonth he joined Capt
Domineco Ballow's Band. He also joined the Deseret Dramatic Assn. andplayed many parts until April Conference when he was called on amission to Europe to preach the gospel. He lost no time in gettingready and on the 21st of June started on his mission leaving his 2ndwife living in a wagon box. Previous to starting he was commisionedto take a sculptered stone from Utah to be placed in the WashingtonMonument at Washington D.C. He was set apart for his mission by BroLorenzo Snow and promised, among other things, that he should havepower to overcome every obstacle and difficulty. While on the oceanthe ship sprung a leak in a great storm and began to fill with water.The ship was loaded in the hold with wheat and the wheat got into thepipes and swelled and chocked them up. They tried to pump the waterout but could not do it. Everybody was frightened and it looked likethey would go to the bottom. The carpenters were diving into thewater to find the leak but were unsuccessful. It was at this timethat a Presbyterian Minister was pacing the deck and wringing hishands and seemed very much frightened. He said, "Mr. McAllister whatcomfort does Mormonism give you in time like this?". Elder McAllisteranswered "Everything in the world". He then left the minister andjoined the sailors. They got a heavy iron and heated it hot and ranit up and down the pipes and this swelled the pipes and allowed thewheat to move so that the pumps could work. They took hold of thepumps and Elder McAllister started to sing Away Down South in Dixieand the sailors joined in the chorus. The leak was found and mendedand the
ship was saved and the promise of the Lord was fulfilled. It wasduring this mission while in Phil that he converted his mother,sisters and brother Richard to the Gospel. In 1860 he again went on amission to the states after which he continued on to the British Islesand did missionary work in Scotland and Wales. He presided over theBirmingham and Belfast conferences and returned in charge of a largecompany of emigrants. For a number of years he was clerk and workedin the endowement house in Salt Lake City. He had charge of PresidentYoung's Woolen Mills when called to St George and followed PresWilford Woodruff as Pres of the St George Temple. He had thedistinction of presiding over the only active temple in the world fora great many years. On April 5, 1877, he was made Pres of the StGeorge Stake. He was active in life's affairs. He baptized PresWoodruff for George Washington and the signers of the Declaration ofIndependence. He was called to Manti in 1893 and made Pres of theManti Temple in fulfillment of a dream he had. He was
counselor to Bishop Elijah Sheets in the 8th ward in Salt Lake City.He raised a compnay of life guards in 1857. He served as Major ofCavalry of the Great Lake Military District during the Echo Canyonwar. In Jan 1863 he was made Territorial Marshall which office heheld for several years. From 1869 to 1876 he was Salt Lake CityMarshall. He was Marshall of the Chief of the Salt Lake Fire Departfor 13 years. In 1869 and 1870 he was sergeant at arms in theTerritorial Legislature. He was Marshall on the day 10 Jan 1870 atthe driving of the last spike of the Utah Central Railway when itreached Salt Lake City. The 3 Sept 1872 as chief of the Salt Lake FireDept assisted in dedicating and breaking ground for the water works inSalt Lake City. He also served as Brigader or General of the UtahMilitia. He assisted in building many of the early bldg in Salt Lakeand was conncected with the old 8th ward coop and ZCMI. He was one ofthe leading soloists and often sang on the stage at the request ofBrigham Young.
In the fall of 1909 he came to St George to visit his old home andrelatives arriving on 5 Sept. He went to the Temple, spoke in thepublic meeting and enjoyed himself with his friends. On Nov 21 hecontracted a cold and went to bed. He gradually grew weaker and on Frievening Jan 21, 1910 at 8:05 surrounded by his family he peacefullypassed away. He was 82 years, 11 months and 1 days old.

Obituary - 28 June 1955 J.W. McAllister - Noted Musician
St. George - Joseph William McAllister, 78, well known throughoutUtah as church
school and civic musician, died Monday at 1 pm in a local hospital ofa heart ailment. At the time of his death he was stake chorister forSt George stake. He held that position nearly 50 years. He was born26 Nov 1876 a son of Joseph Warringotn and Mary Ann Miller McAllister.Married Kate Bleak 7 Jan 1908 in the St George Temple.
He attended BY Academy where in 1903 he received a specialcertificate of music accomplishment. While a student there he was amember of a well known male quartet conducted by the late Prof AntonH. Lund who was at one time a director of the Tabernacle Choir.
Mr McAllister taught school in Lehi 3 years and when Dixie Collegeopened in 1911, was assigned to teach music there. He taught therecontinuously until his retirement in 1944.
In 1919 he was awarded a life diploma by the Church Board ofEducation, which
granted him the privilege of teaching in church schools for the restof his life. He also received an honorary key to the BYU. While atDixie he conducted many musical programs, including the first SouthernUtah production of the Handel's Messiah. One of his last civicproductions was "The Seven Last Words of Christ" during Utah'scentennial year, on the ground of the St George Temp.
Burial was in the St George City Cemetery.